Globalisation is expanding – with all the advantages and disadvantages coming along
with it. There are winners as well as losers and the GAP™ between these two parties
is getting bigger and bigger. The global players in this world are the ones that take
most advantage of this development by exploiting both – nature as well as
individuals.
In order to get bigger and increase profits, companies make use of all possible
means and it seems that ethical standards have not been existing for years. From
child labour or illegal medical tests to financing wars in developing countries, thus
causing the deaths of numerous people – the range of opportunities to reach the
objective is quite large.
This dissertation will show the real face of several well-known companies that are
generally well-reputed, although this is definitively not justified in view of their
background activities.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Sweatshops - unlocking the power of poverty
- What is a sweatshop?
- Made in Saipan USA!
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation aims to expose the unethical practices of globally renowned companies, highlighting how they exploit workers and leverage globalisation for profit maximization. It focuses on the realities of sweatshops within the garment industry and their devastating impact on vulnerable populations.
- Exploitation of workers in the global garment industry
- The role of sweatshops in perpetuating poverty
- The abuse of power by multinational corporations
- The impact of globalization on labor practices
- The lack of ethical standards in global business
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the expanding nature of globalization and its inherent inequalities. It highlights how global players exploit both the environment and individuals to maximize profits, often disregarding ethical standards. The chapter introduces the dissertation's central theme: exposing the unethical practices of well-reputed companies, contrasting their public image with their actual operations.
Sweatshops - unlocking the power of poverty: This chapter delves into the realities of sweatshops within the garment industry, focusing on companies like Adidas, Nike, and Gap. It explains how these companies exploit workers in impoverished countries, taking advantage of their lack of alternatives and paying sub-minimum wages. The chapter defines a sweatshop based on violations of basic labor laws and details the horrific working conditions, including forced overtime, sexual harassment, and the dismissal of pregnant women. The use of the term "sweatshop" historically and its continued relevance in the context of globalization are also examined.
Made in Saipan USA!: This section focuses on the specific case of Saipan, an island in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It highlights how U.S. policies, including the delegation of minimum wage and immigration control to the local government and duty-free imports, have inadvertently facilitated sweatshop conditions. The chapter details the exploitation of foreign "guest workers," predominantly young women from Asia, who are lured with false promises of high wages, then forced to work excessive hours in poor conditions due to debt incurred during recruitment. The chapter demonstrates how various cost-cutting measures, such as extremely cramped living quarters, are justified by the sweatshop owners.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Sweatshops, globalisation, exploitation, garment industry, multinational corporations, labor practices, ethical standards, poverty, worker rights, human rights, Saipan, guest workers, child labor, sexual harassment.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this dissertation preview?
This dissertation preview examines the unethical labor practices of globally renowned companies, specifically focusing on the exploitation of workers in sweatshops within the garment industry. It highlights how these companies leverage globalization to maximize profits while disregarding ethical standards and the well-being of vulnerable populations.
What are the key themes explored in this preview?
The key themes include the exploitation of workers in the global garment industry, the role of sweatshops in perpetuating poverty, the abuse of power by multinational corporations, the impact of globalization on labor practices, and the lack of ethical standards in global business.
Which companies are mentioned in the preview as examples of companies with sweatshop practices?
The preview specifically mentions Adidas, Nike, and Gap as examples of companies that utilize sweatshop labor in their supply chains.
What is a sweatshop, according to this preview?
A sweatshop is defined as a workplace that violates basic labor laws. This includes conditions such as forced overtime, sub-minimum wages, sexual harassment, and the dismissal of pregnant women. The preview also explores the historical context and continued relevance of the term "sweatshop" in the context of globalization.
What specific case study is used to illustrate the points made in the preview?
The preview uses the case study of Saipan, an island in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It analyzes how U.S. policies inadvertently facilitated sweatshop conditions, particularly concerning the exploitation of foreign "guest workers," often young women from Asia, through debt bondage and poor working conditions.
What are some of the key policies or factors that contributed to the sweatshop conditions in Saipan?
The preview highlights U.S. policies such as the delegation of minimum wage and immigration control to the local government and duty-free imports as factors contributing to sweatshop conditions in Saipan. These policies inadvertently created an environment where exploitation of vulnerable workers was easier.
What types of workers are particularly vulnerable in the sweatshops discussed?
The preview highlights the vulnerability of foreign "guest workers," predominantly young women from Asia, who are often lured with false promises and subsequently forced into debt bondage and exploitative working conditions.
What are some of the key words associated with this dissertation?
Key words include: Sweatshops, globalization, exploitation, garment industry, multinational corporations, labor practices, ethical standards, poverty, worker rights, human rights, Saipan, guest workers, child labor, and sexual harassment.
What is the overall aim of this dissertation?
The dissertation aims to expose the unethical practices of globally renowned companies and to highlight how they exploit workers and leverage globalization for profit maximization. It seeks to contrast the public image of these companies with the realities of their operations.
Where can I find more information on this topic?
This preview provides an overview. The full dissertation will contain more detailed analysis and evidence supporting the claims made here.
- Quote paper
- Alexander Scheling (Author), 2002, Global Players - their abuse of power, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/22594
